Listen now to the sacred tale of the Jewel of the Gods and the mystery of Skambha, as sung in the ancient Atharvaveda. There was once a wondrous jewel, a radiant essence, which Brihaspati, the wise preceptor of the gods, bound for Vata and for Ashava. This jewel was carried by the ever-flowing, unceasing waters, and from these waters, the gods drew forth immortality itself. With the power of this jewel, they were able to strike down their enemies, not just once, but again and again, on every day that dawned. This same jewel, bound by Brihaspati, was released by King Varuna, the upholder of cosmic order. From it, Varuna drew forth truth, and with that truth, the power to subdue adversaries, day after day. The gods themselves bore this jewel into battle, and with its might, they conquered all the worlds. From it, they drew victory, a force to be wielded continually against their foes. The deities released this auspicious jewel, and from it, all blessings were drawn forth—abundance, power, and the means to overcome every challenge. The seasons and their lords bound the jewel as well, and the year, encircling all beings, became its protector. The intermediate regions and the directions fastened it, and the jewel, created by Prajapati, became a destroyer of enemies and a bringer of prosperity. The Atharvans, ancient seers, bound it with their chants; the Angirases, powerful priests, used it to shatter the fortresses of the Dasyus, their adversaries. The Creator himself released the jewel, arranging all beings in their proper place, and with it, the power to vanquish enemies was bestowed. This jewel, which Brihaspati bound for the gods as their safeguard against the Asuras, came to the devotee with strength and splendor. It arrived bearing cows, goats, food, and progeny; it brought rice and barley, greatness and prosperity. With its coming flowed honey, ghee, and the very essence of sustenance. Curds, milk, wealth, and beauty accompanied it. Brilliance, radiance, fame, and renown were its gifts, and it brought with it all powers. May the deities grant this jewel for nourishment—a jewel that conquers, increases sovereignty, and crushes rivals. With the power of Brahman and its own radiance, let all that is auspicious be released. May rivals vanish, and may enemies be brought low. Let this jewel, born of the gods, make the possessor superior to all adversaries. The three worlds, whose bounty is sought as milk, attend upon it. May this jewel ascend to the crown of the devotee’s head, granting supremacy and excellence. For this jewel, by which gods, ancestors, and humans always subsist, is the source of all well-being. Just as a seed sown in fertile earth sprouts and grows when the fields are ploughed, so may offspring, cattle, and food increase in the one who possesses the jewel. To whomever this jewel, which increases sacrifice, grants auspiciousness, may it bestow supremacy, for it is a jewel of a hundred gifts. O Agni, may you, delighted by this prepared fuel, accept our offerings. In you, Jātavedas, kindled by the priest, may we establish good fortune, offspring, vision, and cattle. Now, listen further to the deep questions of the sages regarding the foundation of all that is: On which part of the Supreme does ascetic heat abide? Where is truth established? Where does observance dwell, and where does faith stand? On what part is his truthfulness founded? From which part does Agni blaze forth? From which does Mātariśvan, the wind, blow? From which part is the moon measured out, as one measures a great limb of Skambha, the cosmic pillar? On which part of him does the earth rest? Where does the atmosphere stand? Where is the sky established, and where is the highest heaven set? Where does the upward fire blaze, aspiring to the heights? Where does Mātariśvan blow, full of longing? Where do the aspiring rivers flow together? Tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? Where do the half-months, the months, joined with the year, go? Where do the seasons and their periods go? Tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? Where do day and night, two youthful and differing forms, run together in union? Where do the flowing waters converge? Tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? In whom, having been established, did Prajāpati uphold all the worlds? Tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? That which is highest, lowest, and in between, which Prajāpati fashioned in all forms—how much of Skambha entered there, and what remained outside? How much of Skambha entered into what has been and what will be, following after him? When he made one limb into a thousand, how much of Skambha entered there? Where do people know the worlds, the sheaths, the waters, and Brahman? Where do the existent and the non-existent meet? Tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? Where ascetic heat, having reached its peak, upholds observance; where truth and faith, waters and Brahman, are gathered—tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? In whom earth, atmosphere, and sky are established; where fire, moon, sun, and wind are set—tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? In whose limb all the thirty-three gods are gathered—tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? Where the first-born seers, the Ṛc, Sāman, and Yajus, and the great earth are set; where the single seer is established—tell me of Skambha—who indeed is that god? Where both immortality and death are established within the person, whose channels are like an ocean gathered in the person—tell me, which god is that Skambha? In whom the four cardinal directions stand as the foremost channels, where the sacrifice has advanced—tell me, which god is that Skambha? Those who know the Brahman in the person know the Supreme Lord; whoever knows the Supreme Lord and Prajapati, those Brahmins who know the eldest, they truly know Skambha. Whose head became Vaiśvānara, whose eyes became the Angirases, whose limbs became the Yātavas—tell me, which god is that Skambha? Thus, the story unfolds: the jewel, bound and released by gods and seers, brings power, abundance, and victory, while the mystery of Skambha, the cosmic pillar, sustains and unites all creation, the gods, the worlds, and the wisdom of the sages. In seeking and honoring these, one finds supremacy, nourishment, and the very foundation of existence.